(Released: June 21, 2017 - Expired: July 13, 2017)

Division of Sport Fish
Tom Brookover, Director
Anchorage Headquarters Office
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518


Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Sam Cotten, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
www.adfg.alaska.gov


Contact: Sam Ivey, Area Management Biologist
(907) 746-6300

Deshka River Closed to Use of Bait

(Palmer) – An emergency order has been issued prohibiting the use of bait in the lower portion of the Deshka River. This change goes into effect at 6:00 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2017, through 11:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2017.

The area affected is from the Deshka River mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker near Chijuk Creek, and all waters of the Susitna River within a one-half mile radius of the Deshka River confluence.

The sustainable escapement goal for king salmon in the Deshka River is 13,000 to 28,000 fish, as measured at the weir located at river mile seven. On average, approximately 55 percent of the escapement has passed the weir by June 20. As of June 20, approximately 7,920 king salmon have passed the weir and the projected escapement is about 13,800 fish. As the projected escapement has been steadily declining over the past 18 days and has the potential to drop below the lower end of the goal within this next week, and due to uncertainty in run timing this season, it is prudent to reduce harvest in the sport fishery by restricting use of bait at this time.

For more information, contact Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300.

#17-2441